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  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Complicated social site has some iffy features.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    This site is complex in nature. GoPets must be cared for, exploring is done with navigational tools, pets can learn "crafts," and games are edu-tainment at best.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    With any social networking site, kids can be blocked or rejected as a "friend" which can be upsetting for some. On the plus side, kids can make friends with people around the world.

  • Violence:

    Nothing violent was seen, but with live chat there is some risk of members using inappropriate stuff. There doesn't seem to be a filter to edit violent messages out.

  • Sex:

    None. However chatting live is a big draw here and there doesn't seem to be a filter. The discussion boards arenn't moderated: In the Off Topic forum, there was a long post about buying Viagra with links to actually purchase some.

  • Language:

    Communication seems to be on topic and harmless, but with live chat there is some risk of members using foul language.

  • Consumerism:

    Some GoPets goods are for sale, but not heavily advertised. You can buy the site's currency with real cash. There are 3 levels of premium memberships available for a fee.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About GoPetsLive

Parents need to know this social networking site -- with its cute cartoon animals -- looks like it's for younger kids, but with the capability to send someone a personal e-mail, IM a "friend," and chat without a filter, it really should be saved for teens. To play, you have to download a big file (150.5 MB). A demo version is available, but also as a downloadable program (13.8 MB). Kids need to give an ID, password, birth date, gender, and full name to join. Once a member, kids fill out a profile where more optional, yet identifying, information can be entered: religion, occupation, nearest city, high school, etc, but can be kept private. Kids shop for clothing, food, or stuff for their pets to play with. Games are available, but either require a download or purchase with shells (GoPets currency that are earned or purchased with real dollars). Some GoPets products are available for sale, but not heavily advertised.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what type of information is safe to share with others online. At GoPetsLive.com, privacy settings are available in each account profile. Kids and parents can talk about whether they will invite friends to the site, be open to friends of friends, or keep their information and profiles on the private setting. Discussion about how to handle an unwelcome invitation to chat or inappropriate comments may be helpful before entering the site.
Tools and tips that can help

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    robomonkeyfan
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 0.0

    Not a Good Site for My Age

    This site is not safe for kids my age, because it has no filters. Better sites for my age group are Neopets.com, Marapets.com, Powerpets.com, Webkinz.com, ShiningStars.com, and Myepets.com.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    sweet-cakes
    Lives in Kansas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    OMG awsome webbie...

    this is definatly a web site for people to go too.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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